A Miggy to take over in the Bronx?

Arod’s departure leaves the Yankees with a gaping hole at third base and a lineup dominated by lefties. Assuming Jorge Posada re-signs, other than captain Derek every player is either left-handed or a switch-hitter. Sure, Wilson Betemit hit some big home runs in his 2007 tenure with the team, and he has an above-average glove at third, but he is no suitable replacement for A-Rod in the lineup. If I’m Brian Cashman, I stick Betemit, a switch-hitter, at either first (platooning with Doug Mientkiewicz) or third and find a good bat for the other position. Here are two suitable, but possibly unattainable, players who could even out the Yanks lineup and fill the large shoes Pay-Rod left behind.

Miguel Cabrera:
The Yanks should do everything they possibly can to try to pry the 24 year-old third baseman from Flordia. He is due to make somewhere between $10-$12 million in arbitration this winter, money that Florida has but may be hesitant to spend. While Cabrera’s ever-growing belly is a known concern among baseball executives, it shouldn’t be a problem for the Yankees.
His ability to hit for power and average, his youth, and his right-handed bat would be welcomed in the Bronx. If his lack of mobility really makes his third base defense unbearable, new manager Girardi can move him over to first base (Think Albert Pujols). Then, in a few years, Giambi will be out and we have a hall of fame caliber DH.
Sounds perfect, right? No here’s the hard part: how do get him? The Yankees have a core of young pitchers whom they have been reluctant to trade for quite some time. It looks like a good idea that they didn’t get rid of Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy as they will all be key additions to the rotation in 2008. To me, Hughes and Chamberlain are untouchable, and the Marlins have loads of young pitching so it’s unlikely they would demand to get one of the two.
I would offer the Marlins a package of Melky Cabrera, 22 year-old Tyler Clippard, Edwar Ramirez, and minor-league phenom outfielder Jose Tabata. Not enough you say? Cabrera gives the Marlins the center fielder they’ve needed for some time, Clippard dominated in the minors and is an above-average prospect who will slide right into the Marlins bullpen, Edwar Ramirez joins Clippard in the pen, and Tabata becomes one of the best players in the farm system. The Yanks could then sign Aaron Rowand, Torri Hunter or Mike Cameron to fill the vacant CF spot.
In addition, this gives the Marlins some extra money to maybe pursue Miami native Alex Rodriguez; maybe he’ll put some fish fan’s tushies in the seats. A swap of third basemen sounds good to me.


Miguel Tejada:
The other, less likely, option is the O’s clutch hitting shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada is almost a guarantee to be traded this winter, and it’s a good bet he’ll move to third base on whatever team lands him (rumored to be the Angels, Cubs, and Tigers). It is unlikely the Orioles would trade Miguel within the AL East, so in order for this to happen, a third team would have to come into the deal. But with Miguel Tejada at third base next season, batting fourth after Jeter and Abreu, he would be a lock for 100 RBI’s. No one would have to worry if he will do an Arod imitation and pop up to short with two outs and the bases loaded; Tejada has always been Mr. Clutch. So what would it take to land the shortstop with three years left on his contract, you ask?
I propose: Yanks send Mike Mussina, Alberto Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera and Cash to the Twins who send Matt Garza to the Orioles, who send Miguel Tejada to the Yankees. The Twins get a center fielder to take Hunter’s spot, a much-needed veteran pitcher with money to cover his salary, and a future average shortstop or backup guy. The Orioles get top prospect pitcher Garza and lose Miggy’s salary, and the Yanks get their gold glove third baseman and cleanup hitter, and can then pursue one of the center fielders listed above. As the saying goes; hey, it could happen.